Lemonade!

Happy accidents at the Acoustic Showcase last night.  First, Laughing Boy's mandolin player was unexpectedly called away at the last minute.  Second, Lena Stein had to back out three and a half hours before showtime!  What to do?  We responded with a scintillating blues jam, led by David Moore, with an excellent solo set from Nathan Thompson in the middle.


The festivities kicked off with David Moore's lusty tenor and whipsaw Telecaster, backed by Don Strauss on bass and David Keevil on guitar and occasional harp.

Great fun, and gratifying audience response! 


Next, Nathan Thompson took the stage [rug], and entertained with his rootsy, country-tinged folk music.  

Nathan's songs are worth a second, third, and fourth listen -- his guitar work is deft and understated, and his vocals are similar -- at times pleasingly talky, and then pushing into higher ranges with lovely effect.  Nice lyrics; and we enjoyed the running joke about real estate (you probably had to be there).


Nathan's set came to a close, and we got back to the blues (to the extent that suburban white guys are capable of such endeavors).  Don Strauss had to leave, so Gordon Fromm took over on bass, Nathan added his guitar, while David shifted to harp.  On with the show!

More satisfying licks from David Moore, and Nathan chimed in with some excellent solos on the acoustic.  Then Gordie had to leave, so David shifted over to bass, and we played out the set as the world-famous blues trio Cannonball Demolition.

Playing music is fun, fun, fun, no matter how sour the initial circumstances (read: cancellations at the last minute).  Turns out the Showcase is a great place to make blue lemonade.  See you next time!

Short and Sweet

An abbreviated Acoustic Showcase lost nothing in warmth and conviviality.  Jay Broyer scrubbed at the last minute (something about "it" moving from his throat to his ears -- bad news for a musician), but we thoroughly enjoyed the other two acts: Showcase stalwarts; for whom our growing familiarity breeds appreciation.


First we heard from Michael Barrett and Chris Eastburn, with Jack Donahue holding down the bass line.

These guys continue to entertain with their excellent selections from the great American song-book.  Great stuff from the '30s through the '00s.  As usual, strong vocals from Mike, beautiful harmonies mixed with deft guitar work from Chris.  And Jack's bass playing is always satisfying.


Then we welcomed Rick Drost back to the Showcase. 

Rick's an experienced performer, and he easily filled the quiet coffee house with his textured tenor voice and chiming finger-picking.  One particularly intriguing song of his from 1968 I'd love to hear again... what was the title again?  We'll have him back again in a few months, and we can give it another listen.


We wished Jay Broyer good luck recovering from the crud and packed up early.  We'll be back in two weeks for another Showcase!